IBM PC compatible multi-chip module

ABSTRACT

A multi-chip module and a chip set that comprises a plurality of the multi-chip modules. The multi-chip module includes a plurality of functional circuits provided on a substrate, the circuits defining a plurality of signal inputs and outputs. A plurality of pins are secured in a single row along the periphery of the substrate and are connected to the inputs and outputs. The pins include a set of 91 signal pins, two ground pins, and a power pin, the signal pins having a configuration complying in number and signal type with the IEEE-Prequirements to define an ISA bus. The multi-chip module includes a rectangular housing wherein the pins, in the form of gull wing pins, extend laterally from a peripherally extending wall. The ISA bus pins extend along one side and partially along adjacent sides of the rectangular module. The functional circuits of one embodiment of the module include a CPU, serial interfaces, a parallel interface, a hard drive interface, a floppy disk interface, a keyboard interface, and flash memory. Other multi-chip modules can include a PCMCIA interface, an Ethernet interface, or a display controller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a multi-chip module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most successful applications of computer technology have been those that people do not see. Microcontrollers and microprocessors govern automotive anti lock braking systems, automatic teller machines, elevators, subway ticket systems, and medical equipment. These hidden computers, otherwise known as embedded systems, permeate our lives. The embedded control market is, in fact, growing significantly faster than the desk top computing market. A major trend is the move from 4- and 8-bit processors to more powerful devices that provide more computing power and enable more "friendly" man-machine interfaces. A study by Desk Top Strategies showed that in 1994 over 320 million 16- and 32-bit embedded control processors were shipped to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use in embedded control applications. In contrast, only 50 million were shipped to desk top computer manufacturers. The compound annual growth rate for 32-bit processors in the embedded market from 1992 to 1997 is projected to be 53 percent, compared with an estimated 32 percent in the desk top market.

The area of greatest growth in the embedded control market is the segment of ultra-miniature controllers for portable and transportable instruments. OEMs have indicated a strong interest in developing products with the PC architecture, but have found that size, integration, power, reliability, or cost constraints make existing broad-level products unsuitable for their applications.

The Cardio 386 developed by S-Mos Systems comprises a full function, small footprint, X86 computer that includes a CPU, all standard PC-type I/O controllers, PGA graphics, floppy and hard disk drive interfaces, DRAM, flash memory, and transparent power management. It adopts a PC AT architecture which complies with the ISA (industry standard architecture) bus pin configuration. However, it makes use of a unique edge connector comprising a plurality of tracks formed into rows on a card. This is received in a complementary slot for connection to peripheral devices. The use of a connector for connecting the module to a board makes its implementation inherently unreliable since vibrations can compromise the electrical connections between the various tracks forming the pins, and the corresponding contacts of the slot connector. Furthermore, no provision is made for integrating the module with proprietary hardware of OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).

Another prior art device is the Northstar III by Micro Module Systems that comprises a multi-chip module, including a Pentium processor, a cache controller, and RAM incorporated in a 349 pin PGA package. Once again, no facility is provided for interfacing with OEM proprietary hardware, Furthermore, the North Star module is packaged in a 349 pin PGA which makes simple direct connection to peripheral devices impossible without complicated track layout design. Therefore it does not allow the module to be simply dropped into an OEM system.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to incorporate a multi-chip module in an ultra-miniature form factor. In particular it is an object of the invention to provide a module the size of a large integrated circuit.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an Intel X86 compatible computer module and peripheral controller modules wherein the computer module includes a CPU, I/O (a parallel port and two serial ports), a keyboard interface, a DRAM interface, floppy disk controller, hard disk controller, and flash disk functions based on Intel X86 architecture. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a multi-chip module that provides an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) with the facility for incorporating a feature set that is compatible with IBM PC/AT hardware, software, and bus pin configuration.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a module having low power consumption, broad thermal adaptability, low cost, and high reliability by eliminating cables and mounting hardware.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a module family having identical ISA bus pin configurations to facilitate easy interconnection.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a development board to form a platform for receiving a multi-chip module of the invention, thereby to provide for the quick development of pilot projects.

According to the invention there is provided a multi-chip module comprising a plurality of functional circuits provided on a substrate, the circuits defining a plurality of signal inputs and outputs, and a plurality of module pins secured in a single row along the periphery of the substrate and connected to the inputs and outputs, the module pins including a set of 91 pins, two ground pins, and a power pin, defining an ISA bus means, the signal pins having a configuration complying in number and signal type with the signal pins laid down under the IEEE-P996 specification, and as applied in the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements. For this reason it will hereinafter be referred as to as the ISA bus.

The module can be rectangular in shape, having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side, and is defined by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall, and wherein the plurality of pins extend from the peripheral wall.

The pins of the ISA bus means of the present invention preferably comprise: pin 38 corresponding to signal SA0; pin 39 corresponding to signal OSC; pin 40 corresponding to signal SA1; pin 41 corresponding signal SA2; pin 42 corresponding to signal BALE; pin 43 corresponding to signal SA3; pin 44 corresponding to signal SD15; pin 45 corresponding to signal TC; pin 46 corresponding to signal SA4; pin 47 corresponding to signal MASTER-; pin 48 corresponding to signal SD14; pin 49 corresponding to signal DACK2-; pin 50 corresponding to signal SA5; pin 51 corresponding to signal SD13; pin 52 corresponding to signal IRQ3; pin 53 corresponding to signal SA6; pin 54 corresponding to signal DRQ7; pin 55 corresponding to signal SD12; pin 56 corresponding to signal IRQ4; pin 57 corresponding to signal SA7; pin 58 corresponding to signal DACK7-; pin 59 corresponding to signal SD11; pin 60 corresponding to signal IRQ5; pin 61 corresponding to signal SA8; pin 62 corresponding to signal DRQ6; pin 63 corresponding to signal SD10; pin 64 corresponding to signal IRQ6OUT; pin 65 corresponding to signal IRQ6; pin 66 corresponding to signal SA9; pin 67 corresponding to GND; pin 68 corresponding to signal DACK6-; pin 69 corresponding to signal SD9; pin 70 corresponding to signal IRQ7OUT; pin 71 corresponding to signal IRQ7; pin 72 corresponding to signal SA10; pin 73 corresponding to signal DRQ5; pin 74 corresponding to signal SD8; pin 75 corresponding to signal SYSCLK; pin 76 corresponding to signal SA11; pin 77 corresponding to signal DACK5-; pin 78 corresponding to signal MEMW-; pin 79 corresponding to signal REFRESH-; pin 80 corresponding to signal SA12; pin 81 corresponding to signal DRQ0; pin 82 corresponding to signal MEMR-; pin 83 corresponding to signal DRQ1; pin 84 corresponding to signal SA13; pin 85 corresponding to VCC; pin 86 corresponding to signal DACK0-; pin 87 corresponding to signal LA17; pin 88 corresponding to signal DACK1-; pin 89 corresponding to signal SA14; pin 90 corresponding to signal IRQ14; pin 91 corresponding to signal LA18; pin 92 corresponding to signal DRQ3; pin 93 corresponding to signal SA15; pin 94 corresponding to signal IRQ15; pin 95 corresponding to signal LA19; pin 96 corresponding to signal DACK3-; pin 97 corresponding to signal SA16; pin 98 corresponding to signal IRQ12; pin 99 corresponding to signal LA20; pin 100 corresponding to signal IOR-; pin 101 corresponding to signal SA17; pin 102 corresponding to GND; pin 103 corresponding to signal IRQ11; pin 104 corresponding to signal LA21; pin 105 corresponding to signal IOW-; pin 106 corresponding to signal SA18; pin 107 corresponding to signal IRQ10; pin 108 corresponding to signal LA22; pin 109 corresponding to signal SMEMR-; pin 110 corresponding to signal SA19; pin 111 corresponding to signal IOCS16-; pin 112 corresponding to signal LA23; pin 113 corresponding to signal SMEMW-; pin 114 corresponding to signal AEN; pin 115 corresponding to signal MEMCS16-; pin 116 corresponding to signal SBHE-; pin 117 corresponding to signal IOCHRDY; pin 118 corresponding to signal SD00; pin 119 corresponding to signal (0WS-); pin 120 corresponding to signal SD1; pin 121 corresponding to signal SD2; pin 122 corresponding to signal DRQ2OUT; pin 123 corresponding to signal DRQ2; pin 124 corresponding to signal SD3; pin 125 corresponding to signal SD4; pin 126 corresponding to signal IRQ9; pin 127 corresponding to signal SD5; pin 128 corresponding to signal SD6; pin 129 corresponding to signal RESETDRV; pin 130 corresponding to signal SD7; and pin 131 corresponding to signal IOCHCK-. The ISA bus pins preferably extend along the first side and at least partially along the third and fourth sides. The multi-chip module can include 240 module pins.

The functional circuits in a module can include a central processing unit. The functional circuits can further include two serial interfaces, a parallel interface, a hard drive interface, a floppy disk interface, a keyboard interface, and flash memory.

Other modules can include functional circuits that include a PCMCIA interface, an Ethernet interface, or a display controller.

The substrate can comprise a printed circuit board and the functional circuits comprise semiconductor devices which can be packaged or can be in bare die form secured to the printed circuit board.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided a multi-chip module comprising a plurality of functional circuits encapsulated in a rectangular housing, the housing having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a peripheral wall extending along a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side; and a plurality of pins extending laterally from the peripheral wall, wherein the pins include a set of 91 signal pins, two ground pins and a power pin defining an ISA bus means, the signal pins of which comply in number and signal type, with the signal pins laid down under the IEEE-P996, and as applied in the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements.

Still further, according to the invention, there is provided a module family comprising a plurality of functionally different modules, wherein each module has a plurality of pins and the pins of each module include a set of 91 signal pins, two ground pins, and a power pin, defining an ISA bus means, the signal pins of which comply in number and signal type with the signal pins laid down under the IEEE-P996, and as applied in the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements.

Each module can comprise at least one functional circuit encapsulated in a rectangular housing, the housing having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a peripheral wall extending along a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side, and wherein the pins of the module extend laterally from the peripheral wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multi-chip module of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a multi-chip module of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a multi-chip module of the invention indicating the configuration of the pins;

FIG. 5 shows a PC board layout for a development board showing the mounting site for the module of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a number of different modules in accordance with the invention connected to each other by means of their ISA buses to form a module family of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A need exists in the field of embedded applications for small, highly reliable computer systems that draw little power, are easy to integrate, have broad thermal adaptability and are relatively inexpensive. Applications for such devices include medical instruments, data logging devices, security systems, test equipment, point-of-sale terminals, communications devices, such as Internet and facsimile machines, and navigational instruments. OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) typically use the Intel X86 architecture since it offers the world's largest body of hardware and software. The present invention has accordingly been developed to address the problems in the prior art by providing a multi-chip module packaged to resemble a large integrated circuit chip comprising a 240 pin QFP having an overall footprint of 59.54×79.88 min. The module includes a set of pins constituting a bus for connection to the OEM designer's proprietary internal hardware. The invention specifically contemplates providing this bus with a configuration complying with the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements. This will allow the OEM designer quickly to incorporate IBM PC/AT hardware and software and to implement the module in ISA compatible proprietary product designs. The module is now described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show a plan view and a side view, respectively, of the module.

The module 10 is a 240 pin QFP with gull wing pins having a 0.762 mm. pitch. The body is rectangular, the one side of which measures 76.2 mm and the overall footprint in this embodiment being 59.54×79.88 mm. The pins themselves are typically 0.5 mm wide, and the dimensions of distances 12 and 14 in FIG. 1 are 3.5 mm for this embodiment. By using a chip-like package in which the pins are formed around the periphery of the module 10 in a single row as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the module 10 can easily be soldered into place to form a very sturdy, reliable set of connections. Furthermore, tracks can be designed to lead directly from the pins to another device by making use of PC board tracks on one or both surfaces of the PC board without the need for several layers to route the various tracks. Since the pins are soldered directly to the interconnecting tracks, the system has inherent reliability in that it eliminates cables and mounting hardware that could otherwise vibrate loose. As many as half a dozen interconnecting cables, assorted connectors and mounting hardware required with many existing prior art single board computers, are thereby eliminated.

The module thus provides an Intel X86 compatible computer in an ultra-miniature form factor that can be integrated as easily as a semiconductor device and provides the full functionality of a desk top computer. As is described in greater detail below, the same concepts of using a chip-like module using a QFP package with gull wing pins and having an ISA compatible bus is extended also to peripheral controller modules.

By integrating a full X86 AT-compatible computer onto a proprietary OEM design, the need for multiple boards is eliminated, thereby eliminating cables and mounting hardware.

The full compatibility with PC-AT ISA allows for easy integration with low-cost hardware peripherals. The ISA, compliant bus makes it easy to interface with proprietary hardware design.

One embodiment of the module 10, having a CPU as one of its functional circuits, is illustrated in FIG. 3 and includes the standard I/O interfaces, serial ports, a parallel port, and floppy and hard disk interfaces allowing standard hardware, cables, and software libraries to be incorporated in the design. The module 10 includes an 80386 SX CPU 20 which is connected to a DRAM bus and an ISA bus 24 by means of core logic 26. The core logic controls AT-compatible DMA controllers, interrupt controllers, and timers/counters. It also controls the AT keyboard controller 28 and the real time clock 30. Two serial ports 32, 34 and a parallel port 36 are provided, as are a floppy disk controller 40 and an IDE hard drive interface 42. In order to facilitate total solid state operation, internal flash memory 44 is provided that is controlled by a solid state flash disk controller 46. Power is controlled by means of a power monitor 48 that provides a power saving function by controlling CPU sleep modes, and by a watch dog timer 50. The watch dog timer 50 monitors CPU cycles to detect interrupts in the cycle thereby allowing the system to be automatically reset after a predetermined time delay.

The microprocessor and various controllers and interfaces comprise chips, preferably in die form, mounted on a multi-layer PC board, e.g. ten-layers. The CPU 20 is a standard 33 MHz 80386 SX CPU having a DRAM controller for supporting up to 16M bytes of DRAM.

The standard DRAM interface provides all the signals for connecting standard page-mode DRAMs of various configurations, including standard 8- and 9-bit 30-pin SIMM modules and discrete components, such as standard 1M×4 and 4M×4 DRAM chips. The interface is designed to support 70 ns or faster DRAMs. The DRAM interface consists of:

    ______________________________________                                         •                                                                              Multiplexed addresses                                                                          MA00-MA10                                                •                                                                              Bidirectional data                                                                             D0-D15                                                   •                                                                              Column Address Strobes                                                                         CASL0- to CASL3- (low byte)                                                    CASH0- to CASH3- (high byte)                             •                                                                              Row Address Strobes                                                                            RAS0- to RAS3-                                           •                                                                              Memory Write Strobe                                                                            DRWE-                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The serial ports 32, 34 are PC-compatible asynchronous serial ports, typically treated as COM 1 and COM 2 devices by DOS.

    ______________________________________                                         Serial   Typical     I/O      Standard                                         Port     Usage       Address  Interrupt                                        ______________________________________                                         Serial 1 COM1        3F8-3FF  IRQ4                                             Serial 2 COM2        2F8-2FF  IRQ3                                                            Serial Port Rersources                                          ______________________________________                                    

Either or both serial ports can be disabled using SETUP. When disabled, the port's I/O address and interrupt are made available for other expansion devices on the PC bus.

A full complement of input and output handshaking lines are supported by the serial ports, and all serial port signals are at standard LSTTL levels. In another embodiment, RS232C signal compatibility can be achieved by including a TTL-RS232C level converter to provide the necessary bipolar signal levels. The parallel port is a fully-compatible PC/AT parallel port providing bidirectional operation. It is typically used to support a line printer. As appears from the table below:

    ______________________________________                                         Parallel  Typical     I/O      Standard                                        Port      Usage       Address  Interrupt                                       ______________________________________                                         Parallel 1                                                                               LPT1        378      IRQ7                                                    Parallel Port Resources                                                ______________________________________                                    

4.7K-ohm pull-ups (+5 V) are typically provided to the following parallel port signals:

STROBE-

SLIN-

INIT-

AUTOFD-

Generally, if the parallel port will be connected to a cable for high speed data communication (as opposed to static digital output levels or static TTL level sensing), certain signals require a 2.2 nF capacitor connected to ground.

These include:

PD0-PD7

STRB-

Parallel port registers are provided for the parallel port as appears from the table set out below:

    ______________________________________                                                        Signal            Active  DB25F                                 Register Bit   Name        In/Out                                                                               High/Low                                                                               Pin                                   ______________________________________                                         DATA     0     PD0         I/O   HIGH    2                                     (A+0)    1     PD1         I/O   HIGH    3                                              2     PD2         I/O   HIGH    4                                              3     PD3         I/O   HIGH    5                                              4     PD4         I/O   HIGH    6                                              5     PD5         I/O   HIGH    7                                              6     PD6         I/O   HIGH    8                                              7     PD7         I/O   HIGH    9                                     STATUS   0     1           --    --      --                                    (A+1))   1     1           --    --      --                                             2     1           --    --      --                                             3     ERROR-      IN    LOW     15                                             4     SLCT-       IN    HIGH    13                                             5     PE          IN    HIGH    12                                             6     ACK-        IN    HIGH    10                                             7     BUSY        IN    LOW     11                                    CONTROL  0     STRB-       OUT   LOW     1                                              1     AUTOFD-     OUT   LOW     14                                    (A+2)    2     INIT-       OUT   HIGH    16                                             3     SLCTIN-     OUT   LOW     17                                             4     IRQ ENABLE  --    HIGH    --                                             5     1           --    --      --                                             6     1           --    --      --                                             7     1           --    --      --                                             Parallel Port Registers                                               ______________________________________                                    

The DOS-compatible floppy drive interface 40 allows cable connections for up to four floppy drives. In PC-compatible systems, the BIOS and DOS support two drives. These are configured using the BIOS SETUP function. Hardware controls for two additional drives are provided.

The floppy drive interface supports the following standard floppy formats:

    ______________________________________                                         Capacity  Drive Size   Tracks  Data Rate                                       ______________________________________                                         360K      51/4 inch    40      250 KHz                                         1.2M      51/4 inch    80      500 KHz                                         720K      31/2 inch    80      250 KHz                                         1.44M     31/2 inch    80      500 KHz                                         ______________________________________                                    

The various floppy interface resources are given in the table below

    ______________________________________                                         Resource     Function                                                          ______________________________________                                         I/O Address  3F2 FDC Digital Output Register (LDOR)                            3F0h-3F7h    3F4 FDC Main Status Register                                                   3F5 FDC Data Register                                                          3F7 FDC Control Register (LDCR)                                   IRQ6         Interrupt                                                         DRQ2-DACK2   DMA Controller Channel                                            Floppy Interface Resources                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Outputs to the floppy drive and from the floppy drive are "open collector". Pull-up resistors are therefore required for proper termination, both on the SMX/386 board and on one of the attached floppy drives (not both).

330-Ohm pull-ups are required for the following floppy interface signals:

DSKCHG-

RDATA-

WRPRT-

TRK0-

INDEX-

The pin numbers and functions associated with the floppy drive are given in the table below:

    ______________________________________                                                Floppy                                                                  Pin    Pin      Signal Name                                                                               Function  In/Out                                    ______________________________________                                         11     2        DENSEL     Speed/Precomp                                              4        N/A                  N/A                                              6        N/S        Key pin   N/A                                       12     8        INDEX-     Index Pulse                                                                              IN                                        13     10       MTR0-      Motor On 0                                                                               OUT                                       15     12       DRV1-      Drive Select 2                                                                           OUT                                       18     14       DRV0-      Drive Select 1                                                                           OUT                                       20     16       MTR1-      Motor On 1                                                                               OUT                                       22     18       DIR-       Direction Select                                                                         OUT                                       23     20       STEP-      Step Pulse                                                                               OUT                                       24     22       WDATA-     Write Data                                                                               OUT                                       25     24       WGATE-     Write Gate                                                                               OUT                                       26     26       TRK0-      Track 0   INPUT                                     27     28       WRPRT-     Write Protect                                                                            INPUT                                     28     30       RDATA-     Read Data INPUT                                     29     32       HDSEL-     Head Select                                                                              OUT                                       30     34       DSKCHG-    Disk Change                                                                              INPUT                                            1-33     Ground     Ground                                                        Floppy Drive Interface                                               ______________________________________                                    

The IDE hard drive interface 42 is a standard interface used in PC-compatible systems for hard disk drives. Up to two drives can be connected in a master-slave arrangement. The resources are depicted in the table below:

    ______________________________________                                         Resource           Function                                                    ______________________________________                                         I/O Address        Hard Disk Interface                                         1F0h-1F7h                                                                      IRQ14              Interrupt                                                   IDE Hard Disk Resources                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The IDE interface pins are arranged to easily attach to a male PC-mounted ribbon-cable connector, the IDE drives typically being attached to the drive interface using a 40-pin ribbon cable.

The pin configuration for the IDE interface is given in the table below:

    ______________________________________                                               IDE                                                                      Pin   Pin    Signal Name                                                                               Function     In/Out                                    ______________________________________                                         223   1      HDRESET-   Reset signal from host                                                                      OUT                                             2      GND        Ground       OUT                                       224   3      IDED07     Data bit 7   I/O                                       225   4      HDD08      Data bit 8   I/O                                       226   5      HDD06      Data bit 6   I/O                                       227   6      HDD09      Data bit 9   I/O                                       228   7      HDD05      Data bit 5   I/O                                       229   8      HDD10      Data bit 10  I/O                                       230   9      HDD04      Data bit 4   I/O                                       231   10     HDD11      Data bit 11  I/O                                       232   11     HDD03      Data bit 3   I/O                                       233   12     HDD12      Data bit 12  I/O                                       234   13     HDD02      Data bit 2   I/O                                       235   14     HDD13      Data bit 13  I/O                                       236   15     HDD01      Data bit 1   I/O                                       237   18     HDD14      Data bit 14  I/O                                       238   17     HDD00      Data bit 0   I/O                                       239   18     HDD15      Data bit 15  I/O                                             19     GND        Ground       OUT                                             20     KEY        Keyed pin    N/C                                             21     N/A        Reserved     N/C                                             22     GND        Ground       OUT                                       240   23     HDIOW-     Write strobe OUT                                             24     GND        Ground       OUT                                       1     25     HDIOR-     Read strobe  OUT                                             26     GND        Ground       OUT                                             27     RSVD       Reserved     N/C                                       2     28     HDALE      Address latch enable                                                                        OUT                                             29     RSVD       Reserved     N/C                                             30     GND        Ground       OUT                                       237   31     HDD14      Drive Interrupt request                                                                     IN                                                      IDE Drive Interface                                              ______________________________________                                    

The pin configuration for the module 10 as a whole is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is given in the pin description table below:

    ______________________________________                                         Pin  Pin Name  Description            Type                                     ______________________________________                                         1    HDIOR-    IDE I/O Read, active low. Buffered version                                                            024                                                     of IOR                                                          2    HDALE     IDE Address Latch Enable, active high.                                                                024                                                     Buffered version of BALE                                        3    IRQ14     IDE Interrupt Request 14. For use with                                                                I                                                       IDE interface. Same signal appears on pin                                      90.                                                             4    IOCS16    IDE I/O Chip Select 16. A low requests a                                                              I                                                       16-bit transfer on the SA bus. Same                                            signal appears on pin 238. This one is                                         used for the IDE interface.                                     5    HDA1      IDE Address 1. Buffered version of SA1.                                                               024                                      6    HDA0      IDE Address 0. Buffered version of SA0                                                                024                                      7    HDA2      IDE Address 2. Buffered version of SA2                                                                024                                      8    HDCS-     IDE Chip Select. A low indicates that data                                                            024                                                     is being transferred to or from the IDE                                        drive.                                                          9    FDCS-     Floppy disk Chip Select. A low indicates                                                              024                                                     that data is being transferred to or from                                      the floppy disk.                                                10   LEDIN     LED signal from IDE drive                                                                             I                                        11   DENSEL                                                                    12   IDEX      Floppy disk index pulse, input from drive                                                             I                                        13   MTR0-     Floppy disk active lower open drain output                                     selects motor driver 0. The motor enable                                       bits are software controlled via the                                           floppy's Digital Output Register (DOR).                         14   MTR2-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       selects motor driver 2. The motor enable                                       bits are software controlled via the                                           floppy's Digital Output Register (DOR).                         15   DRV1-     Floppy disk active lower open drain output                                     that selects floppy drive 1                                     16   DRV3-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       that selects floppy drive 3                                     17   GND                                                                       18   DRV0-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       that selects floppy drive 0                                     19   DRV2-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       that selects floppy drive 2                                     20   MTR1-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       selects motor driver 1. The motor enable                                       bits are software controlled via the                                           floppy's Digital Output Register (DOR).                         21   MTR3-     Floppy disk active low open drain output                                       selects motor driver 3. The motor enable                                       bits are software controlled via the                                           floppy's Digital Output Register (DOR).                         22   DIR       Floppy disk open drain output that controls                                    floppy read/write head movement                                                direction. Low=set pin.                                         23   STEP      Floppy disk active low output provides the                                     step pulse to move the floppy read/write                                       head                                                            24   WDATA-    Floppy disk active lower signal writes                                         precompensated serial data to the selected                                     floppy drive. This is a high open current                                      drain output and is gated internally with                                      WGATE-.                                                         25   WGATE-    Floppy disk active low open drain signal                                       that enables the head to write onto the                                        floppy disk.                                                    26   TRK0-     Floppy disk active lower Schmitt input                                                                IS                                                      indicates that the head is on track 0 of the                                   selected drive                                                  27   WRPRT-    Floppy disk active low Schmitt input                                                                  IS                                                      indicating that the disk is write protected.                                   Any WDATA-command is ignored.                                   28   RDATA-    Floppy disk active lower Schmitt input that                                                           IS                                                      reads raw data from the floppy disk.                            29   HDSEL     Floppy disk open drain output that selects                                     the head on the selected drive. Low=side                                       0.                                                              30   DSKCHG    Floppy disk input signal indicating that                                                              Ihe                                                     floppy door has been opened.                                    31   5VBB                                                                      32   GND                                                                       33   PF1       Powerfail                                                       34   PF0       Powerfail                                                       35   MR-       Powerfail                                                       36   RTCIRQ-   Alarm output from the onboard real time                                        clock                                                           37   WD0       Watchdog timer                                                  38   SA00      ISA System Address 00  024                                      39   OSC       ISA 14.318 MHz clock. This clock is                                            asynchronous to all other system clocks                         40   SA01      ISA System Address 01  024                                      41   SA02      ISA System Address 02  024                                      42   BALE      ISA Buffered Address Latch Enable                               43   SA03      ISA System Address 03  024                                      44   SD15      ISA System Data 15                                              45   TC        ISA DMX Terminal Court                                          46   SA04      ISA System Address 04  024                                      47   MASTER-   ISA                                                             48   SD14      ISA System Data 14                                              49   DACK2-    ISA DMA 2 Acknowledge strobe                                    50   SA05      ISA System Address 05  024                                      51   SD13      ISA System Data 13                                              52   IRQ3      ISA Interrupt Request 3                                                                               I                                        53   SA06      ISA System Address 06  024                                      54   DRQ7      ISA DMA 7 Request      I                                        55   SD12      ISA System Data 12                                              56   IRQ4      ISA Interrupt Request 4                                                                               I                                        57   SA07      ISA System Address 07  024                                      58   DACK7-    ISA DMA 7 Acknowledge strobe                                    59   SD11      ISA System Data 11                                              60   IRQ5      ISA Interrupt Request 5                                                                               I                                        61   SA08      ISA System Address 08  024                                      62   DRQ6      ISA DMA 6 Request      I                                        63   SD10      ISA System Data 10                                              64   IRQ6OUT   Floppy disk interrupt request. Normally                                        connects to IRQ6 (pin 65)                                       65   IRQ6      ISA Interrupt Request 6                                                                               I                                        66   SA09      ISA System Address 09  024                                      67   GND                                                                       68   DACK6-    ISA DMA 6 Acknowledge strobe                                    69   SD09      ISA System Data 09                                              70   IRQ7OUT   Parallel port interrupt request, Normally                                      connects to IRQ7 (pin 71).                                      71   IRQ7      ISA Interrupt Request 7                                                                               I                                        72   SA10      ISA System Address 10  024                                      73   DRQ5      ISA DMA 5 Request      I                                        74   SD08      ISA System Data 08                                              75   SYSCLK    ISA System Clock                                                76   SA11      ISA System Address 11  024                                      77   DACK5-    ISA DMA 5 Acknowledge strobe                                    78   MEMW-     ISA active low memory write strobe                              79   REFRESH-  ISA active low signal indicating current                                       bus cycle is a memory refresh                                   80   SA12      ISA System Address 12  024                                      81   DRQ0      ISA DMA 0 Request      I                                        82   MEMR-     ISA active low memory read strobe                               83   DRQ1      ISA DMA 1 Request      I                                        84   SA13      ISA System Address 13  024                                      85   VCC                                                                       86   DACK0-    ISA DSMA 0 Acknowledge strobe                                   87   LA17      ISA Latched Address 17 024                                      88   DACK1-    ISA DMA 1 Acknowledge strobe                                    89   SA14      ISA System Address 14  024                                      90   IRQ14     ISA Interrupt Request 14, normally used                                                               I                                                       for IDE interface                                               91   LA18      ISA Latched address 18 024                                      92   DRQ3      ISA DMA 3 Request strobe                                        93   SA15      ISA System Address 15  024                                      94   IRQ15     ISA Interrupt Request 15                                                                              I                                        95   LA19      ISA Latched Address 19 024                                      96   DACK3-    ISA DMA 3 Acknowledge strobe                                    97   SA16      ISA System Address 16  024                                      98   IRQ12     ISA Interrupt Request 12                                                                              I                                        99   LA20      ISA Latched Address 20 024                                      100  IOR-      ISA I/O Read strobe                                             101  SA17      ISA System Address 17  024                                      102  GND                                                                       103  IRQ11     ISA Interrupt Request 11                                                                              I                                        104  LA21      ISA Latched Address 21 024                                      105  IOW-      ISA I/O Write strobe                                            106  SA18      ISA System Address 18  024                                      107  IRQ10     ISA Interrupt Request 10                                                                              I                                        108  LA22      ISA Latched Address 22 024                                      109  SMEMR-    ISA System Memory Read strobe                                   110  SA19      ISA System Address 19  024                                      111  IOCS16-   ISA 16-bit I/O Chip Select request.                                                                   I                                                       Indicates that the current I/O transaction is                                  16-bits.                                                        112  LA23      ISA Latched Address 23 024                                      113  SMEMW-    ISA System Memory Write strobe                                  114  AEN       ISA Address Enable                                              115  MEMCS16   ISA 16-bit Memory Chip Select request.                                                                I                                                       Indicates that the current memory                                              transaction is 16-bits.                                         116  SBHE-     ISA System Byte High Enable                                     117  IOCHRDY   ISA I/O Channel Ready. A low adds wait                                                                I                                                       states to the current ISA bus cycle                             118  SD00      ISA System Data 00                                              119  OWS-      ISA active low causing cuurent memory                                                                 I                                                       cycle to be controlled without additional                                      wait states.                                                    120  SD01      ISA System Data 01                                              121  SD02      ISA System Data 02                                              122  DRQ2OUT   Floppy DMA 2 Request. Normally                                                 connected to DRDQ2 (pin 123)                                    123  DRQ2      ISA DMA 2 Request strobe                                        124  SD03      ISA System Data 03                                              125  SD04      ISA System Data 04                                              126  IRQ9      ISA Interrupt Request 09                                        127  SD05      ISA System Data 05                                              128  SD06      ISA System Data 06                                              129  RESETDRV  ISA active high system reset signal                             130  IOCHCHK   ISA gated non-maskable interrupt input                          131  IOCHCHK-  ISA gated non-maskable interrupt input                                                                I                                        132  HISPEED   Input to select CPU speed, High=high                                                                  I                                                       speed.                                                          133  SPKR      Speaker output                                                  134  KDATA     Keyboard                                                        135  KCLOCK    Keyboard clock                                                  136  PWRDN-                                                                    137  GND                                                                       138  COLOR     Video Color/Mono jumper                                                                               I                                        139  KBLOCK    Keyboard lock. Low blocks keyboard                                                                    I                                                       input                                                           140  SLCT      Parallel Port                                                   141  PE        Parallel Port                                                   142  BUSY      Parallel Port                                                   143  ACK-      Parallel Port                                                   144  PD7       Parallel Port Data 7                                            145  PD6       Parallel Port Data 6                                            146  PD5       Parallel Port Data 5                                            147  PD4       Parallel Port Data 4                                            148  PD3       Parallel Port Data 3                                            149  SLCTIN-   Parallel Port                                                   150  PD2       Parallel Port Data 2                                            151  INIT-     Parallel Port                                                   152  PD1       Parallel Port Data 1                                            153  ERR-      Parallel Port                                                   154  GND                                                                       155  PD0       Parallel Port Data 0                                            156  AUTOFD    Parallel Port                                                   157  STRB-     Parallel Port                                                   158  DCD2      Serial Port 2 Data Carrier Detect                               159  DSR2      Serial Port 2 Data Set Ready                                    160  RXD2      Serial Port 2 Receive Data                                      161  RTS2      Serial Port 2 Request To Send                                   162  TXD2      Serial Port 2 Transmit Data                                     163  CTS2      Serial Port 2 Clear To Send                                     164  DTR2      Serial Port 2 Data Terminal Ready                               165  R12       Serial Port 2 Ring Indicator                                    166  DCD1      Serial Port 1 Data Carrier Detect                               167  DSR1      Serial Port 1 Data Set Ready                                    168  RXD1      Serial Port 1 Receive Data                                      169  RTS1      Serial Port 1 Request to Send                                   170  TXD1      Serial Port 1 Transmit Data                                     171  CTS1      Serial Port 1 Clear to Send                                     172  DTR1      Serial Port 1 Data Terminal Ready                               173  RI1       Serial Port 1 Ring Indicator                                    174  GAMECS                                                                    175  RAS3-     DRAM Row Address Strobe 3                                       176  RAS2-     DRAM Row Address Strobe 2                                       177  RAS1-     DRAM Row Address Strobe 1                                       178  RAS0-     DRAM Row Address Strobe 0                                       179  DP1       DRAM parity bit for high byte memory                            180  DP0       DRAM parity bit for low byte memory                             181  D15       DRAM Data Bit 15                                                182  D07       DRAM Data Bit 7                                                 183  D14       DRAM Data Bit 14                                                184  D06       DRAm Data Bit 6                                                 185  DRWE-     DRAM memory write strobe                                        186  D13       DRAM Data Bit 13                                                187  GND                                                                       188  D05       DRAM Data Bit 5                                                 189  MA10      DRAM multiplexed memory address 10                              190  MA09      DRAM multiplexed memory address 9                               191  MA08      DRAM multiplexed memory address 8                               192  D12       DRAM Bata Bit 12                                                193  D04       DRAM Data Bit 4                                                 194  MA07      DRAM multiplexed memory address 7                               195  MA06      DRAM multiplexed memory address 6                               196  D11       DRAM Data Bit 11                                                197  D03       DRAM Data Bit 3                                                 198  MA05      DRAM multiplexed memory address 5                               199  MA04      DRAM multiplexed memory address 4                               200  D10       DRAM Data Bit 10                                                201  D02       DRAM Data Bit 2                                                 202  MA03      DRAM multiplexed memory address 3                               203  MA02      DRAM multiplexed memory address 2                               204  D09       DRAM Data Bit 9                                                 205  VCC                                                                       206  D01       DRAM Data Bit 1                                                 207  MA01      DRAM multiplexed memory address 1                               208  MA00      DRAM multiplexed memory address 0                               209  D08       DRAM Data Bit 8                                                 210  D00       DRAM Data Bit 0                                                 211  CASH3-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, High byte 3                         212  CASL3-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, Low byte 3                          213  CASH2-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, High byte 2                         214  CASL2-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, Low byte 2                          215  CASH1-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, High byte 1                         216  CASL1-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, Low byte 1                          217  CASH0-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, High byte 0                         218  CASL0-    DRAM Column Address Strobe, Low byte 0                          219  BDIS                                                                      220  XROMCS-                                                                   221  LEDOUT-                                                                   222  GND                                                                       223  HDRESET-  IDE                                                             224  IDE07     IDE Data Bit 7                                                  225  HDD08     IDE Data Bit 8                                                  226  HDD06     IDE Data Bit 6                                                  227  HDD09     IDE Data Bit 9                                                  228  HDD05     IDE Data Bit 5                                                  229  HDD10     IDE Data Bit 10                                                 230  HDD04     IDE Data Bit 4                                                  231  HDD11     IDE Data Bit 11                                                 232  HDD03     IDE Data Bit 3                                                  233  HDD12     IDE Data Bit 12                                                 234  HDD02     IDE Data Bit 2                                                  235  HDD13     IDE Data Bit 13                                                 236  HDD01     IDE Data Bit 1                                                  237  HDD14     IDE Data Bit 14                                                 238  HDD00     IDE Data Bit 0                                                  239  HDD15     IDE Data Bit 15                                                 240  HDIOW-    IDE buffered I/O Write strobe                                   ______________________________________                                    

As mentioned above, the core logic 26 supports a DRAM bus 22 and an ISA compatible expansion bus 24 complying in number and signal type with the IEEE-P996 requirements (and corresponding to the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements). The pin configuration for the expansion bus 24 is given in the table below with corresponding pin numbers for expansion bus connectors A, B, C, D. The bus 24 comprises 94 pins that includes VCC and two GND pins.

    __________________________________________________________________________           Signal                                                                   Pin   Name   Function  In/Out                                                                             Current                                                                             Load*                                          __________________________________________________________________________     38 A31                                                                               SA0    Address bit 0                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             39 B30                                                                               OSC    14.318 MHz clock                                                                         Out 6 mA 33 SER                                         40 A30                                                                               SA1    Address bit 1                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             41 A29                                                                               SA2    Address bit 2                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             42 B28                                                                               BALE   Address latch                                                                            Out 12 mA                                                            enable                                                            43 A28                                                                               SA3    Address bit 3                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             44 C18                                                                               SD15   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                                          15                                                                45 B27                                                                               TC     DMA Terminal                                                                             Out 4 mA                                                             Count                                                             46 A27                                                                               SA4    Address bit 4                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             47 D17                                                                               MASTER-                                                                               Bus master assert                                                                        In  N/A  330 PU                                         48 C17                                                                               SD14   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                                          14                                                                49 B26                                                                               DACK2- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 2                                                     50 A26                                                                               SA5    Address bit 5                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             51 C16                                                                               SD13   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                                          13                                                                52 B25                                                                               IRQ3   Interrupt Request 3                                                                      In  N/A  PU                                             53 A25                                                                               SA6    Address bit 6                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             54 D15                                                                               DRQ7   DMA Request 7                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             55 C15                                                                               SD12   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                                          12                                                                56 B24                                                                               IRQ4   Interrupot Request 4                                                                     In  N/A  PU                                             57 A24                                                                               SA7    Address bit 7                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             58 D14                                                                               DACK7- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 7                                                     59 C14                                                                               SD11   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                                          11                                                                60 B23                                                                               IRQ5   Interrupt Request 5                                                                      In  N/A  PU                                             61 A23                                                                               SA8    Address bit 8                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             62 D13                                                                               DRQ6   DMA Request 6                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             63 C13                                                                               SD10   System Data bit                                                                          I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                                          10                                                                64    IRQ6OUT                                                                               Floppy Disk                                                                    Interrupt Request                                                 65 B22                                                                               IRQ6   Interrupt Request 6                                                                      In  N/A  PU                                             66 A22                                                                               SA9    Address bit 9                                                                            I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             67    GND                                                                      68 D12                                                                               DACK6- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 6                                                     69 C12                                                                               SD9    System Data bit 9                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             70    IRQ7OUT                                                                               Parallel Port                                                                  Interrupt Request                                                 71 821                                                                               IRQ7   Interrupt Request 7                                                                      In  N/A  PU                                             72 A21                                                                               SA10   Address bit 10                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             73 D11                                                                               DRQ5   DMA Request 5                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             74 C11                                                                               SD8    System Data bit 8                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             75 B20                                                                               SYSCLK System clock (8                                                                          Out 12 mA                                                            MHz)                                                              76 A20                                                                               SA11   Address bit 11                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             77 D10                                                                               DACK5- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 5                                                     78 C10                                                                               MEMW-  Memory Write                                                                             I/O 6 mA PU, 33                                                                         SER                                            79 B19                                                                               REFRESH-                                                                              Memory Refresh                                                                           I/O 6 mA 470 PU,                                                                        33 SER                                         80 A19                                                                               SA12   Address bit 12                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             81 D9 DRQ0   DMA Request 9                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             82 C9 MEMR-  Memory Read                                                                              I/O 6 mA PU, 33                                                                         SER                                            83 B18                                                                               DRQ1   DMA Request 1                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             84 A18                                                                               SAT3   Address bit 13                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             85    VCC                                                                      86 D8 DACK0- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 0                                                     87 C8 LA17   Address bit 17                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               88 B17                                                                               DACK1- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 1                                                     89 A17                                                                               SA14   Address bit 14                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             90 D7 IRQ14  Interrupt Request                                                                        In  N/A  PU                                                          14                                                                91 C7 LA18   Address bit 18                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               92 B16                                                                               DRQ3   DMA Request 3                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             93 A16                                                                               SA15   Address bit 15                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             94 D6 IRQ15  Interrupt Request                                                                        In  N/A  PU                                                          15                                                                95 C6 LA19   Address bit 19                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               96 B15                                                                               DACK3- DMA       Out 4 mA                                                             Acknowledge 3                                                     97 A15                                                                               SA16   Address bit 16                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             98 D5 IRQ12  Interrupt Request                                                                        In  N/A  PU                                                          12                                                                99 C5 LA20   Address bit 20                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               100                                                                               B14                                                                               IRQ-   I/O Read  I/O 6 mA PU                                             101                                                                               A14                                                                               SA17   Address bit 17                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             102   GND                                                                      103                                                                               D4 IRQ11  Interrupt Request                                                                        In  N/A  PU                                                          11                                                                104                                                                               C4 LA21   Address bit 21                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               105                                                                               B13                                                                               IOW-   I/O Write I/O 6 mA PU                                             106                                                                               A13                                                                               SA18   Address bit 18                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             107                                                                               D3 IRQ10  Interrupt Request                                                                        In  N/A  PU                                                          10                                                                108                                                                               C3 LA22   Address bit 22                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               109                                                                               B12                                                                               SMEMR- Mem Read (lower                                                                          I/O 6 mA 33 SER                                                      1MB)                                                              110                                                                               A12                                                                               SA19   Address bit 19                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             111                                                                               D2 IOCS16-                                                                               16-bit I/O access                                                                        In  N/A  330 PU                                         112                                                                               C2 LA23   Address bit 23                                                                           I/O 24 mA                                               113                                                                               B11                                                                               SMEMW- Mem Write (lower                                                                         I/O 6 mA 33 SER                                                      1 MB)                                                             114                                                                               A11                                                                               AEN    Address Enable                                                                           I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             115                                                                               D1 MEMCS16-                                                                              16-bit mem access                                                                        In  N/A  330 PU                                         116                                                                               C1 SBHE-  Bus High Enable                                                                          I/O 12 mA                                                                               PU                                             117                                                                               A10                                                                               IOCHRDY                                                                               Processor Ready                                                                          In  N/A  1K PU                                                       Ctrl                                                              118                                                                               A9 SD00   System Data bit 0                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             119                                                                               B8 ENDXFR-                                                                               Zero wait state                                                                          In  N/A  330 PU                                               (OWS-)                                                                   120                                                                               A8 SD1    System Data bit 1                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             121                                                                               A7 SD2    System Data bit 2                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             122   DRQ2OUT                                                                               Floppy DMA 2                                                                   Request                                                           123                                                                               B6 DRQ2   DMA Request 2                                                                            In  N/A  PD                                             124                                                                               A6 SD3    System Data bit 3                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             125                                                                               A5 SD4    System Data bit 4                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             126                                                                               B4 IRQ9   Interrupt request 9                                                                      In  N/A  PU                                             127                                                                               A4 SD5    System Data bit 5                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             128                                                                               A4 SD6    System Data bit 6                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             129                                                                               B2 RESETDRV                                                                              System reset                                                                             Out 24 mA                                                            signal                                                            130                                                                               A2 SD7    System Data bit 7                                                                        I/O 24 mA                                                                               PU                                             131                                                                               A1 IOCHCK-                                                                               Sub NMI input                                                                            In  N/A  4.7K PU                                        __________________________________________________________________________

The exact pin configuration as illustrated for the expansion bus on Page 5 is a critical feature of the invention. Since it forms a single row of pins on the module 10, the pins can be easily connected directly to the expansion bus connectors without having to resort to multiple layer boards to route the PC board tracks from the module 10 to the expansion bus connectors A, B, C, D. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the present invention includes both microprocessor modules as illustrated in FIG. 3, as well as peripheral controller modules such as display controller modules, Ethernet control modules, and PCMCIA compatible modules for extended memory (RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), as well as for modem, fax, and network interfaces, and also for wireless communication devices. By providing an identical pin configuration for the ISA buses, the various modules can easily be connected to one another.

A further feature of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a card 54 having a mounting site 56 for a module having a pin configuration as described above with reference to FIG. 4. The card 54 provides an integrated way for system development in standard ISA passive backplane systems. The card includes an AT-bus and a PC/104 bus, and occupies a single slot in an AT-class (16-bit) passive backplane. This allows development to be performed using a terminal on a serial port as a console. A standard VGA or SVGA display controller can be plugged into another slot on the backplane if desired. Instead, a PC/104 display controller can be installed directly on the PC/104 header 58 on the card 54. Since the module 10 is fully compatible with PC/AT ISA, a wide selection of hardware peripherals may be integrated. The ISA-compatible bus allows an OEM to easily interface his proprietary hardware design with the module 10. Furthermore, the standard BIOS and embedded DOS allows application software to be developed using standard desk top PCs and standard development tools for implementation on the system using one or more modules of the present invention. It will be appreciated that, depending on the nature of the module, the size of the module and the number of pins may vary, however it is an important feature of this invention that the pins for the ISA bus retain their configuration in each module to allow the modules to be readily connected to one another as illustrated in FIG. 6 in which different modules 60, 62, 64 of the invention are connected to each other by means of bus lines 66, 68 extending between the ISA compatible bus pins indicated by reference numerals 70, 72, 74, respectively. 

We claim:
 1. A multi-chip module comprisinga plurality of functional circuits provided on a substrate, the circuits defining a plurality of signal inputs and outputs, and a plurality of module pins secured in a single row along the periphery of the substrate and connected to the inputs and outputs, the module pins including a set of 91 signal pins, two ground pins and a power pin, defining an ISA bus means, the signal pins having a configuration complying in number and signal type with the IEEE-P996 requirements, wherein the module is rectangular in shape, having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side, and is defined by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall, and wherein the plurality of pins extend from the peripheral wall,wherein the pins of the ISA bus means comprise pin 38 corresponding to signal SA0; pin 39 corresponding to signal OSC; pin 40 corresponding to signal SA1; pin 41 corresponding signal SA2; pin 42 corresponding to signal BALE; pin 43 corresponding to signal SA3; pin 44 corresponding to signal SD15; pin 45 corresponding to signal TC; pin 46 corresponding to signal SA4; pin 47 corresponding to signal MASTER-; pin 48 corresponding to signal SD14; pin 49 corresponding to signal DACK2-; pin 50 corresponding to signal SA5; pin 51 corresponding to signal SD13; pin 52 corresponding to signal IRQ3; pin 53 corresponding to signal SA6; pin 54 corresponding to signal DRQ7; pin 55 corresponding to signal SD12; pin 56 corresponding to signal IRQ4; pin 57 corresponding to signal SA7; pin 58 corresponding to signal DACK7-; pin 59 corresponding to signal SD11; pin 60 corresponding to signal IRQ5; pin 61 corresponding to signal SA8; pin 62 corresponding to signal DRQ6; pin 63 corresponding to signal SD10; pin 64 corresponding to signal IRQ6OUT; pin 65 corresponding to signal IRQ6; pin 66 corresponding to signal SA9; pin 67 corresponding to GND; pin 68 corresponding to signal DACK6-; pin 69 corresponding to signal SD9; pin 70 corresponding to signal IRQ7OUT; pin 71 corresponding to signal IRQ7; pin 72 corresponding to signal SA10; pin 73 corresponding to signal DRQ5; pin 74 corresponding to signal SD8; pin 75 corresponding to signal SYSCLK; pin 76 corresponding to signal SA11; pin 77 corresponding to signal DACK5-; pin 78 corresponding to signal MEMW-; pin 79 corresponding to signal REFRESH-; pin 80 corresponding to signal SA12; pin 81 corresponding to signal DRQ0; pin 82 corresponding to signal MEMR-; pin 83 corresponding to signal DRQ1; pin 84 corresponding to signal SA13; pin 85 corresponding to VCC; pin 86 corresponding to signal DACK0-; pin 87 corresponding to signal LA17; pin 88 corresponding to signal DACK1-; pin 89 corresponding to signal SA14; pin 90 corresponding to signal IRQ14; pin 91 corresponding to signal LA18; pin 92 corresponding to signal DRQ3; pin 93 corresponding to signal SA15; pin 94 corresponding to signal IRQ15; pin 95 corresponding to signal LA19; pin 96 corresponding to signal DACK3-; pin 97 corresponding to signal SA16; pin 98 corresponding to signal IRQ12; pin 99 corresponding to signal LA20; pin 100 corresponding to signal IOR-; pin 101 corresponding to signal SA17; pin 102 corresponding to GND; pin 103 corresponding to signal IRQ11; pin 104 corresponding to signal LA21; pin 105 corresponding to signal IOW-; pin 106 corresponding to signal SA18; pin 107 corresponding to signal IRQ10; pin 108 corresponding to signal LA22; pin 109 corresponding to signal SMEMR-; pin 110 corresponding to signal SA19; pin 111 corresponding to signal IOCS16-; pin 112 corresponding to signal LA23; pin 113 corresponding to signal SMEMW-; pin 114 corresponding to signal AEN; pin 115 corresponding to signal MEMCS16-; pin 116 corresponding to signal SBHE-; pin 117 corresponding to signal IOCHRDY; pin 118 corresponding to signal SD00; pin 119 corresponding to signal (0WS-); pin 120 corresponding to signal SD1; pin 121 corresponding to signal SD2; pin 122 corresponding to signal DRQ2OUT; pin 123 corresponding to signal DRQ2; pin 124 corresponding to signal SD3; pin 125 corresponding to signal SD4; pin 126 corresponding to signal IRQ9; pin 127 corresponding to signal SD5; pin 128 corresponding to signal SD6; pin 129 corresponding to signal RESETDRV; pin 130 corresponding to signal SD7; and pin 131 corresponding to signal IOCHCK.
 2. A multi-chip module of claim 1, wherein the pins of the ISA bus means extend along the first side and at least partially along the third and fourth sides. 